Having been around cattle all his life, Rick Hibler serves as assistant manager at Irsik & Doll Beefland Feedyard in Garden City, Kan.
Hibler was born and raised on his family’s ranch south of Garden City, where they raised 4-H calves.
“I have been around cattle all my life, and that’s what I wanted to do, was take care of them,” Hibler says. “When I was a kid, you were either a farmer, or you went to work in the feedyard — and I don’t like farming.”
With a career in the cattle feeding industry spanning since 1971, Hibler’s dedication was celebrated Feb. 4 when he received the 2026 Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented annually during the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame banquet. Named for a long-time, devoted employee of Poky Feeders, the award recognizes feedyard employees who go above and beyond to improve the cattle-feeding industry and the beef feeders provide to American families.
A Feedyard Cowboy
Hibler started working as a vet’s helper at Masters Feeders, now Cobalt Cattle Co., in Garden City as a pen rider for five years.
He then took a brief detour going to Kansas State University for a year for wrestling. Following his time in Manhattan, he moved to Wichita for about a year, building airplanes for Cessna.
The cattle industry was his true calling, so he moved back to southwest Kansas and went to work at several feedyards (Sublette Feeders, S Bar Feedyard, Gigot Feeders, Gotcha and Sagebrush Feedyard) before finding his home at Beefland.
He began working for Irsik & Doll in 1995 as a pen rider and has worked his way up to assistant manager in his 30 years there.
Today, Hibler explains his role is to make sure no sick calves are missed.
Adam Peterson, Beefland Feedyard general manager, says Hibler’s exceptional cattle care, consistency and work ethic are what truly distinguish him.
“He cares about the cattle,” Peterson stresses how Hibler makes sure the cattle are handled in the way that they ought to be. “I think that sets him apart, because of the time and effort he puts into and works at it each and every day. He keeps everybody on their task.”
When he isn’t at the yard, Hibler spends his time with his wife of 39 years, Gwen, their five children and stepchildren, and their 17 grandchildren. But even in his free time, his passion for the outdoors and cattle remains clear.
“I don’t like working inside. I don’t like driving tractor,” Hibler summarizes “I like riding horses and taking care of cattle. I like keeping cattle alive.”
